It seems whenever Blues suggest that they have got a measure of things, they then take a step backwards.

And maybe this is where the team, the club, is at now; maddeningly inconsistent fare we are going to have to get used to on the field and financially impotent off it.

Blues have also had large dollops of bad luck come their way in regards to injuries and that cursed right-back position.

Perhaps we all got caught up too much with a free hit of a season last season when Europe was a blast and no one expected much.

Blues received a standing ovation at St Andrew’s after failure in the play-offs (and Blues chugged into them, not cruised).

This season, the mood is different and new manager Lee Clark has a tougher assignment than his predecessor Chris Hughton.

We can pick holes in Clark’s decision making, selections and so forth with hindsight and many are quick to lay the blame for any ills at his door.

He is a young boss, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is passionate and I’ve not encountered a Blues manager for years who is so aching to do well.

To say everything (ie. Blues’ league position, another home flop) is all his fault is daft and maybe convenient.

Yes, Barnsley was an abomination. But the win at Brighton & Hove Albion wasn’t. Nor the displays immediately before Barnsley, and Blues played well in long patches at Cardiff City on Tuesday.

Then this happens on Saturday and it’s back to square one again, we are all scratching our heads wondering where the faults are.

Simply put, Huddersfield were the better side in most departments.

Blues – like against Barnsley, but unlike at Brighton – were too passive at the start. And although they rallied late and showed some gumption, despite Nikola Zigic’s sending-off in the 74th minute, they had given themselves too much to do.

Whilst it was a surprise that Blues didn’t go with two up front from the off, Clark could have deployed a diamond, rectangle, or octagon and I doubt it would have made much difference initially.

Blues allowed Huddersfield to dictate and their system saw one up front, the vibrant Jermaine Beckford receiving great, sparky support from Danny Ward and James Vaughan from the flanks. Huddersfield were much more dangerous in the first half, quicker, much more decisive and abrasive.

Clark has accepted the buck and apologised to supporters this season. Afterwards on Saturday he said some pretty strong words about the players.

How about taking some responsibility, too, was the request.

“Yes, OK, I am responsible. But I can’t keep saying that. Can they start taking responsibility?

“I am getting the flak from the supporters. Right. No problem.

“But I am not sitting in the dressing room telling them not to tackle, I am not telling them to pussyfoot around. I am not telling them to misplace passes. They can’t just hide behind me all the time, they have got to come out fighting.”

Clark pointed to Brighton and Cardiff performances.

“Why is it different when you are playing in front of fantastic fans? Yes there is an expectation. No disrespect to smaller clubs, but do they want to go and play for smaller clubs where there is no expectation?

“It is frustrating. It leaves you disappointed, leaves you angry.”

Clark was not trying to deflect blame, just stir some passions, get others looking inwards as well.

Blues are not a bad side, they do not have a bad manager at the helm, they do not have bad players. But they have been too unreliable this season, they have clicked sporadically not consistently and, due to injuries primarily, continuity has been lacking. They are not bullying or nasty enough either.

But this is where they’re at, what they’ve become as others (Brighton, Cardiff, Huddersfield) are more on the rise.

Jack Butland, watched by England’s Ray Clemence, was in wonderful fettle. Nathan Redmond, who started, struck the post five minutes after Beckford’s goal with a curler.

Clark sent on Zigic for the second half and Blues had a bit more about them. But James Hurst’s withdrawal due to injury then Zigic’s red card for an ill-judged sliding tackle on Calum Wood that rapped his knees, disrupted momentum.

And then when Curtis Davies was forced off – his ankle buckled as he tried to swivel and shoot at goal close in – more readjustments were needed.

Mitch Hancox, 18, came on for his debut and can be pleased with his urgent and determined contribution in the last 10 minutes. He’s only on a six-month contract but would sweat blood for his boyhood club.

And Blues’ rearguard by now once more had an unusual look due to the injuries: Jonathan Spector, Steve Caldwell, Paul Robinson and Hancox.

Ironically, Blues tested Huddersfield’s resolve when the odds appeared stacked against them.

Leroy Lita had a goalbound shot blocked by Peter Clarke, who seemingly dived in from nowhere.

And in the fifth minute of stoppage-time Redmond stood a cross up for Wade Elliott and, six yards out, it looked certain he would equalise but Alex Smithies executed a fine acrobatic save.